Axe understands that soon-to-depart Observer executive editor, news, Kamal Ahmed may have reason to look forward to the publication of a book called Flat Earth News due to published in February. Penned by award-winning Guardian writer Nick Davies, it includes a chapter on how The Observer (in keeping with many other news organisations) misreported the threat from Iraq leading up to the allied invasion.
Though not connected to Ahmed’s exit, it includes criticism of the way then political editor Ahmed dealt with stories emanating from Downing Street on this subject.
Davies’ book looks set to give quite a few journalists cause to squeeze their stress balls. After making his mark with in-depth investigations on social issues for The Guardian, Davies is now turning his fire on Fleet Street. Axegrinder understands the book will expose “falsehood, distortion and propaganda†across Fleet Street.
Ahmed announced last week that he was leaving The Observer to become director of communications for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It was a departure that has surprised many. As one Guardian Media Group source put it: “It is certainly a remarkable and unexpected change of direction for a man who had clearly set his sights on becoming editor.â€
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